Catfish4818

I've read a number of threads where some have a relatively easy time removing the hex socket bolt holding the wheel on, and some have horror stories where the bolt has deformed and extreme measures are needed to remove it.

I'll be swapping my stock wheel out in a week or so, and plan on using a 1/2" drive pneumatic impact wrench. Have any of you used the same tool for this job? What sort of success or failure did you have? Or is there a best way to remove the bolt, and this ain't it?

Travlee

i read prob the same horror stories you did. i ended up taking mine to corvette world, think it was about $100 and they used a new bolt instead of the original one

Catfish4818

...bit of a hike for me!!

Travlee

i will buy ya a beer or four..., you could always try, if it doesnt budge, in theory any chevy dealership could do it

Catfish4818

...after a long drive like that, I'd be ready!

Travlee

i once took a job in Manassas.... drove all the way there, was there for 4 days, didnt like it and came back.

agapsdiver

I used a 3/8 rachet and about a 4 ft long pipe (as a breaker bar) to loosen the sucker.
I'd recommend a 1/2 rachet.
It was a bitch but doable.

Catfish4818

Thx! I have 1/2" drive hand tools, but I recall reading that the LocTite makes removal a chore, and was thinking the impact wrench would speed things up.

Am I correct that the bolt needs a standard Torx socket of the appropriate size?

StingWhite

I just changed my 2LT steering wheel last month to a yolk style carbon fiber/Napa leather.

Pretty easy job, here are my tips!
>WATCH THE PARAGON PERF VIDEO A COUPLE OF TIMES! All you need for info.
>UNPLUG THE BATTERY!!!!!!!!!!!
>Take your time with the plugs and connectors! (Replacing those would be a nightmare to find and pricey!). I had my iPad in the car watching and pausing the Para Perf video on YouTube.
> You need a friend only for breaking the wheel nut. One of you sit in the car and hold the wheel super tight, and the other with the socket wrench. Have the wrench man push on the socket head end of the wrench to prevent a slip or strip while engaging.

YOU CAN DO IT!

joekd

I paid $130 (before discount) at my local dealer to swap the OEM leather steering wheel with an alcantara one in my 2018 Camaro SS a couple years ago, pretty sure the Vette is the exact same process

They did it while I waited

I did call 2 dealers who gave much different prices for the same job

Catfish4818

Good tips; thank you.

I'm assuming this is the video you ref?:
That guy makes it look easy.

Catfish4818

Joe, thanks. My default setting is 'Cheapskate', so I try to DIY most projects before surrendering to an outside shop, even at the risk of screwing up something, the repair cost of which would be more than the cost of the job itself!

Flattman

Do NOT use an impact wrench. I had the same thought as you to use one and it turned out to be a complete nightmare. Not only did I bust no fewer than 4 sockets, when one of them broke the impact tool jumped and it wiped out the steering angle sensor (SAS). And yes, I used heat on the bolt to loosen the Locktite as had been suggested. Had to find one on eBay to replace it with. I had a spare bolt as I was going to replace it anyway, but the SAS was not something I was anticipating. I went to a 1/2 drive breaker bar with a new socket and got it done. I'm just so thankful the bolt didn't strip beyond getting a bite with the final socket. Yours should go way easier if you use a breaker bar with constant pressure. With what I learned, I would not hesitate to take on the job again. The impact wrench was where it all went south.



Steering Angle Sensor terminal wiped out

Four busted sockets of various quality

Indy_C7_M7

Quality #50 Torx Bit
3/4” or 1/2” with Massive Breaker Bar
1 person to hold steering wheel STEADY
1 person to “slowly” apply pressure to rotate bolt

I would NOT use an Impact, I found this bolt likes to have consistent pressure applied. With the addition of lock tite and what “feels” like a tapered bolt, sudden force is going to slip, break Torx Bit or Damage Bolt.

The initial movement will be VERY SLOW

Flattman

Catfish4818

@Flattman , @Indy_C7_M7 , well OK!! No impact it is!!

Thx for your feedback and your tips! Looking forward to a smooth install!

Flattman

Will be looking forward to an update with the outcome

dbirdhouse1

Had my great Corvette mechanic (Mark at Titus-Will in Olympia, WA) for about the same money (I bought the new bolt before hand)

I8URRICE

Changed mine recently and I am in the same catagory as those who did not use an Impact gun. Of course, I watched a few videos to get a better idea of what was involved.

Took a 3 Ft breaker bar to it and had my son hold the Steering Wheel while I slowly applied pressure to the Bar, came off with no sweat.

One word of caution, once the Bolt is off and you start to pull out the Steering wheel be mindful that the clock spring does not come with it, what I did is move the Steering slightly forward
and then secured the clock spring with masking tape before pulling out the steering.

C5FORFUN2

Glad to hear about a recommended Corvette tech nearby. I'm close to you, by Lake Tapps.